Employing Innovative Soil Measurement and Monitoring Tools for Food Security and Climate Resilience
Iora Ecological Solutions
Pioneers in developing Nature based Solution projects for climate action. 120+ NbS projects over the last decade.
- By Sanju Akodiya and Bidipta Ghosal
Desertification, land degradation, and drought represent a silent and often unseen crisis impacting communities worldwide. Alarmingly, 15 million square kilometres of the Earth's surface – an area larger than Antarctica and nearly equivalent to the size of the Russian Federation[1]— are degraded. Currently, 33% of the Earth's soils are already degraded, and over 90% face potential degradation by 2050 (FAO and ITPS, 2015; IPBES, 2018)[2]. Globally, 12 million hectares of agricultural land are lost annually due to soil degradation[3]. Human activities and climate change are driving this crisis, directly impacting 1.6 billion hectares of land and 3.2 billion people globally[4].
These figures are not just abstract numbers: they reflect the diminishing situation of the land to sustain life. Degraded land undermines food security, water availability, and biodiversity.
In India, the situation is more alarming. The country faces a staggering annual potential soil loss of 21 tons per hectare, equating to a total possible loss of 1408 million tons yearly. This depletion comes at a high cost: approximately 74 million tons of essential nutrients from the soil are lost annually, leading to an estimated financial loss of 68 billion rupees each year due to its impact on crop productivity, land-use intensity, and farming practices[5].
The Critical Role of Soil
Soil, a vital natural resource, sustains life on Earth by supporting plants, animals, and humans. They provide essential ecosystem services, including water filtration, climate regulation, and nutrient cycling. However, growing pressure from human activities has led to rapidly degrading productive soils worldwide, leading to the loss of agricultural lands, forests, and wetlands[6].
This year's World Soil Day theme, "Caring for soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage", highlights the critical need for accurate soil data and information to understand soil characteristics and make informed decisions for sustainable soil management. By leveraging technological advancements, we can gain deeper insights into soil health and implement strategies that protect and restore this critical resource.
Innovative Tools for Soil Measurement
With advancements in technology, soil measurement approaches have evolved from traditional destructive methods to several non-destructive techniques that offer precision and efficiency. Some of the key methods includes:
1.???? Soil Spectroscopy - “A non-destructive technique” that employs visible to infrared light to determine soil composition, organic matter and moisture content. Portable spectroscopy makes it easier for researchers and farmers to analyze soil on-site.
2.???? Penetrometers and Soil Compaction Sensors – These tools measure soil compaction levels, an essential factor for plant root growth and water infiltration.
3.???? Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) – These geophysical methods are utilised for detailed insights into soil structure, texture, and moisture profiles without requiring extensive excavation.
4.???? Advanced lab techniques (X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Gas Chromatography) – These techniques precisely analyse data on nutrient levels, contaminants, and soil microbiota.
Capturing the spatial variability and changes in soil properties is crucial for sustainable land management. To achieve this, a comprehensive approach is necessary, involving the precise collection and measurement of soil parameters, accurate soil mapping, and rigorous long-term monitoring.
This integrated approach allows us to gain a deeper understanding of soil properties, identify patterns, and assess changes over time. To address this, several cutting-edge tools are being employed globally. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) combine spatial data with soil properties to generate detailed maps, aiding decision-making in forestry, agriculture, and urban planning, while drones and UAVs equipped with sensors provide high-resolution imagery, enabling the mapping of soil variability, and moisture levels, and erosion patterns. Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) leverages machine learning and statistical models to predict soil properties across landscapes by integrating field data with environmental factors. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors regularly monitor soil characteristic parameters like moisture, temperature, and pH, providing real-time data to farmers and researchers. The European Soil Observatory assess soil health indicators over time, offering critical insights into trends and risks. These tools enable us to identify areas of concern, assess the impact of land use practices, and develop effective strategies for soil conservation and restoration.
Sustainable Soil Management Practices
Soil is a critical, non-renewable resource that underpins human and ecological well-being. The way we manage soil today, will determine our future. Hence, effective soil management is paramount for ensuring food security, environmental sustainability, and human health[7].
One of the most effective approaches to soil conservation is incorporating conservation agriculture practices, such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and crop rotation, significantly reduce soil erosion and improve soil organic matter content. By minimising soil disturbance, these practices help to maintain soil structure and reduce water runoff.
Another key practice is Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), which combines both organic and inorganic fertilizers to optimise nutrient use efficiency, reducing the need for excessive chemical inputs and minimizing environmental impacts.
Agroforestry, the integration of trees into agricultural systems, offers multiple benefits, including soil erosion control, biodiversity enhancement, and carbon sequestration.
Lastly, the addition of biochar, a charcoal-like material produced from biomass, can improve soil fertility by enhancing nutrient retention, water-holding capacity, and microbial activity.
By adopting these sustainable soil management practices, we can protect soil health, increase agricultural productivity, and mitigate climate change.
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Global and National Efforts for Soil Conservation
Additional soil management efforts extend beyond farm practices and encompass the implementation of soil restoration projects and policy initiatives. A long-term monitoring program, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) established by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in 2012, aims to reverse soil degradation by promoting sustainable soil management practices across the globe, including initiatives to monitor soil health, raising awareness, and support national policies focused on soil conservation and restoration[8].
Another such initiative, “100 Million Farmers” by the World Economic Forum seeks to harness the collaborative leadership of businesses, governments, farmers, international organisations and innovators to promote regenerative, climate-smart agriculture. This multi-stakeholder initiative aims to transition 100 million farmers worldwide to sustainable agriculture by 2030. This will help restore ecosystems, improve food security, enhance water and soil quality, and promote equitable livelihoods for approximately one-fifth of the global farming population[9].
The "4 per 1000" Initiative, launched at the UNFCCC COP 21 in December 2015, aims to accelerate climate change mitigation, enhance agricultural resilience, and improve food security. By encouraging the adoption of sustainable land management practices, such as diversified farming, resource-efficient agriculture, and reforestation, the initiative seeks to increase soil organic carbon levels. This approach not only strengthens agricultural activities but also contributes to a more sustainable global economy[10].
The Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative (GSBI), established in 2011, advocates for protecting and promoting soil biodiversity, recognizing the vital role that soil organisms play in maintaining ecosystem health, food security, and climate regulation. GSBI works to raise awareness about the importance of soil biodiversity, fosters scientific research, and advocates for policies that support sustainable soil management practices[11].
Sadhguru's Save Soil movement is another such global initiative which aims to address soil degradation, by raising awareness and policy changes to address soil degradation and increase organic content in soil.
India’s Efforts for Soil Conservation
Recognising the vital role of healthy soils, Indian government has implemented several national schemes to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity. The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme empowers farmers with soil-specific nutrient recommendations, promoting precision farming and sustainable soil management. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focuses on optimising water use efficiency through modern irrigation techniques, reducing water stress on soils. The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) supports initiatives like organic farming, which promotes ecological balance and improves soil fertility. These schemes collectively contribute to the sustainable management of India's valuable soil resources. Other key initiatives include the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which promotes organic farming practices, and the National Policy for Management of Crop Residues (NPMCR), which aims to reduce chemical fertilizer use and promote sustainable soil management practices[12].
Towards a Sustainable Future
Healthy soils are the cornerstone of life on Earth, providing the foundation for agriculture, biodiversity, and essential ecosystem services. The escalating crisis of soil degradation threatens not only food security, but also the resilience of natural ecosystems and livelihoods of billions of people. Addressing this crisis demands an urgent, multifaceted approach that integrates scientific innovation, sustainable land management practices, and global cooperation. The path forward requires a commitment to viewing soil as a non-renewable resource, one that demands care and stewardship. By working together to measure, monitor, and manage our soils, we can safeguard this invaluable resource, ensuring it continues to sustain life, mitigate climate impacts, and support economic development for generations to come.
Intern - IORA Ecological Solutions || Value Chain Intern - M.P. MFP Federation Ltd. || Member - Pratibimb, The Dramatics Club || IIFM'25
2 个月Insightful !